Category Archives: Blues

Americana, Blues, Country, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Folk and Tradition, Oldies

Stories and ‘Stretchers’

September 19, 2026 Dave Leave a comment

Everybody loves a good story…and this week on Deeper Roots we’ll be spinning a few of them. Tall tales, fables, murder ballads, historical yarns, talking blues and outright stretchers are all part of the American musical tradition, and we’ll be digging into that tradition this Friday morning. Our stories come mostly from the years between 1925 and 1960, when an old tale might travel from a front porch to a 78, from a newspaper headline to a country ballad, or get passed from singer to singer until fact and folklore became pretty hard to separate. We’ll hear tales of outlaws and drifters, sinners and saints, disasters and deeds of questionable truth from the likes of Mississippi John Hurt, Woody Guthrie, the Golden Gate Quartet, Tex Ritter, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins and more. There’ll even be a few whoppers along the way.

No.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	Ma Rainey	Stack O'Lee Blues	The Rise & Fall of Paramount Records Volume 1 (1917-1927)	1925	00:00
2	Furry Lewis	Billy Lyons And Stack O'Lee	The Return Of The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of	2012	06:21
3	Mississippi John Hurt	Stack O' Lee	Avalon Blues: The Complete 1928 OKeh Recordings	1928	08:58
4	Lloyd Price	Stagger Lee	Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1959	1959	11:52
5	Mississippi John Hurt	Frankie	Avalon Blues: The Complete 1928 OKeh Recordings	1928	14:09
6	Jimmie Rodgers	Frankie And Johnny	The Essential Jimmie Rodgers	1929	17:30
7	Lead Belly	John Hardy	Classic African-American Ballads (Smithsonian Folkways)	1945	26:06
8	Bill Frisell & Petra Haden	John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man	Petra Haden And Bill Frisell	2003	28:47
9	The Carter Family	John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man	American Roots- A History Of American Folk Music: [Disc 2]	0	31:19
10	The Weavers	The Frozen Logger	The History Of American Folk	1951	34:10
11	Cisco Houston	The Frozen Logger	The Folkways Years: 1944-1961	1954	36:40
12	Merle Travis	Dark As A Dungeon	Hot Pickin' [Disc 1]	1946	44:52
13	Mr. Connie Dycus	Dark As A Dungeon	Birth / Work / Death – Work Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)	1970	47:53
14	Grandpa Jones	Dark As A Dungeon	An American Original	1998	50:38
15	Vernon Dalhart	The Wreck Of The Old '97	American Roots- A History Of American Folk Music: [Disc 1]	1924	53:22
16	Roy Acuff	The Great Titanic	compliments of grimriper2u@yahoo.com	0	56:28
17	Rory Block	Titanic (When That Great Ship Went Down)	Confessions of A Blues Singer	1998	59:35
18	Tony Rice	Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald	Church Street Blues	1989	1:01:38
19	The Plainsmen Quartet	Jack O'Diamonds	Cowboy Crooners Sing Songs Of The West Cd 2	0	1:12:28
20	Michael Martin Murphey	Jack Of Diamonds	Cowboy Songs	1990	1:15:07
21	Tex Ritter	Rye Whiskey	Cattle Call-Early Cowboy Music And It's Roots	1945	1:16:10
22	Johnny Horton	The Battle Of New Orleans	American Originals	1959	1:19:18
23	Jimmie Driftwood	The Battle of New Orleans	Six Classic Albums Plus Bonus Singles	1959	1:21:45
24	Chubby Parker & His Old Time Banjo	King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O	Anthology Of American Folk Music Vol. 1A: Ballads	1928	1:25:07
25	Woody Guthrie	Pretty Boy Floyd	Woody At 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection	1944	1:31:06
26	The Byrds	Pretty Boy Floyd	Sweetheart of the Rodeo	1968	1:34:01
27	Merle Haggard And The Strangers	The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde (2006 Digital Remaster)	Hag: The Best of Merle Haggard	2006	1:36:30
28	Marty Robbins	El Paso	A Lifetime of Song (1951-1982)	1983	1:38:30
29	Lefty Frizzell	Long Black Veil	Columbia Country Classics Vol. 3: Americana	1990	1:43:08
30	The Kingston Trio	Tom Dooley	Absolutely the Best	1958	1:46:07
31	Johnny Horton	Johnny Reb	Classic Country: More Great Story Songs	1959	1:52:18
32	Johnny Cash	Rock Island Line	Get Rhythm [Sun]	1969	1:54:38
33	Hart Valley Drifters	Handsome Molly	Folk Time	2016	1:56:45

Americana, Country, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Free Form, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues

Good News Bad News

September 11, 2026 Dave Leave a comment

No theme this week. No genre studies. No artist retrospectives. Just two hours of great American music. We’re in a free-form mood, wandering once again through the dusty digital archives of the past century in search of songs that simply deserve to be heard. Pour yourself a favorite morning libation and settle in as we journey from the elegant dance band sounds of George Olsen to the gypsy jazz brilliance of Django Reinhardt and the unmistakable blues of Memphis Minnie. Along the way, we’ll kick up a little country dust with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Marty Stuart, and plenty of other musical companions. There may not be a formal theme, but don’t be surprised if the songs begin talking to one another. You’ll hear stories of good news and bad news, bad blood, hard luck, redemption, resilience, and the enduring hope that seems to find its way into the best American music. That’s the beauty of community radio. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you stop looking for a destination and simply enjoy the journey. Join us Friday morning at 9:00 Pacific on KOWS Community Radio, streaming worldwide at kowsfm.com, and spend a couple of hours exploring the music that shaped where we’ve been—and still has something to say about where we’re going.

No.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	Gregg Allman	I Believe I'll Go Back Home	Low Country Blues	2011	00:00
2	Betty Wright	He's Bad Bad Bad	The Best of Betty Wright	1968	06:07
3	Derailers	Bad Bad Girl	Guaranteed to Satisfy	2008	08:26
4	Doug Sahm	Bad Boy	The Last Real Texas Blues Band Feat. Doug Sahm	1994	11:10
5	Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee	Bad Blood	Cripple Creek	2009	14:33
6	Blind Lemon Jefferson	Bad Luck Blues	Classic Sides Disc 1	2003	23:42
7	John Fogerty	Bad Moon Rising	The Long Road Home: Ultimate John Fogerty Creedence Collection	2005	26:30
8	Johnny Cash	Bad News	The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983 Disc 2	1992	28:45
9	Amy Helm	Good News	Didn't It Rain	2015	31:38
10	Cris Cuddy	Good Bad News	Sally's Waltz	0	35:54
11	Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives	Good News	Saturday Night / Sunday Morning	2014	38:44
12	George Olsen	Good News	Beyond The Blue Horizon	1927	40:10
13	Fats Domino	Bad Luck and Trouble	Fats Domino Out of New Orleans	1961	43:19
14	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	What's That News	The Original Soul Sister: Singing in My Soul [Disc 3]	1944	45:52
15	Marvin Gaye	What's The Matter With You Baby	Anthology [Disc 1]	1995	54:00
16	Memphis Minnie	What's The Matter With The Mill?	21 Classic Blues Songs From The 1920's Vol. 10	1930	56:15
17	Frank Stokes	What's The Matter Blues	Broke Black & Blue [Disc 1] : Up Country Blues	1928	59:21
18	The Sunshine Boys	What's the Matter With Deep Elem	The Western Swing: Doughboys Playboys and Cowboys – Oakie Boogie [Disc 4]	1941	1:02:18
19	Joe Liggins	What's The Reason (1949)	The Chronological Joe Liggins 1948 – 1950	1949	1:09:26
20	Guy Lombardo	What's The Reason (I'm Not Pleasin' You)	Enjoy Yourself: The Hits Of Guy Lombardo	1935	1:12:14
21	The Mills Brothers	What's The Reason (I'm Not Pleasin' You?)	The 1930's Recordings – Chronological Volume 3	1935	1:15:14
22	Johnny Burnette With The Johnny Mann Singers	You're The Reason	25 Greatest Hits	1989	1:17:54
23	Arthur Alexander	You're The Reason	The Greatest Hits	1963	1:20:30
24	Willie Nelson	Reasons To Quit	One Hell Of A Ride	1982	1:24:42
25	Tim Hardin	Reason To Believe	Best Of The Troubadours	0	1:28:08
26	Django Reinhardt	Believe It Beloved	The Classic Early Recordings In Chronological Order [Disc 1]	1935	1:30:04
27	Fern Jones	I Do Believe	The Glory Road	1959	1:33:14
28	Dan Hicks	You Gotta Believe [Album Version]	The Most Of Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks [Bonus Tracks]	1970	1:35:16
29	John Stewart	She Believes In Me	California Bloodlines	2009	1:38:11
30	The Louvin Brothers	Making Believe	Close Harmony [Disc 3]	1958	1:40:43
31	The Haden Triplets	Making Believe	The Haden Triplets	2014	1:43:02
32	Neil Young	I Believe in You	After the Gold Rush	1970	1:46:23
33	Rick Nelson	Believe What You Say	Legacy [Disc 1]	1958	1:53:27
34	Brenda Lee	You Can Depend on Me	American Music Library	1961	1:55:28

Blues, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Pop, Playlists, Theme Time

1925 Songs

September 4, 2026 Dave Leave a comment

What did America sound like in 1925? Join us for a special episode of Deeper Roots as Dave welcomes Josh Rosenthal, founder of Tompkins Square Records, into the studio for an extraordinary musical deep dive. Josh takes us inside the newly minted anthology, Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present…1925 Songs. This 32-track collection spotlights a pivotal, watershed year in American music history—the moment electrical recording began replacing acoustic horns, allowing the vibrant, raw sounds of early jazz, country blues, and hillbilly music to reach a coast-to-coast audience for the very first time. Deeper Roots may be about a century of America’s music… but this week, we’re taking you back a century plus one! Don’t miss it.

No.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	Dora Carr	Cow Cow Blues	Roots 'N' Blues/The Retrospective 1925-1950	1925	00:00
2	Wheat Street Female Quartet	Go Down Moses	Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present 1925 Songs	1925	16:31
3	Rosa Lee Carson	The Drinker's Child	Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present 1925 Songs	1925	19:17
4	Bascom Lamar Lunsford	Sherman Valley	Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present 1925 Songs	1925	44:11
5	Tweedy Brothers	Cripple Creek	Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present 1925 Songs	1925	46:47
6	Clifford's Louisville Jug Band	Struttin' The Blues	Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present 1925 Songs	1925	1:00:42
7	Dr. James Roach	Gue Gue Solingae	Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present 1925 Songs	1925	1:18:24
8	Brownlee's Orchestra of New Orleans	Peculiar	Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present 1925 Songs	1925	1:21:25
9	Papa Charlie Jackson	Drop That Sack	Papa Charlie Done Sung That Song – [Disc 2]	1925	1:26:18
10	Ma Rainey	Chain Gang Blues	Ma Rainey	1925	1:29:38
11	Blind Lemon Jefferson	All I Want Is That Pure Religion	Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present 1925 Songs	1925	1:32:49
12	Bennie Moten's Kansas Cityÿ Orchestra	Kater Street Rag	The Real Kansas City Of The '20s '30s & '40s	1925	1:35:58
13	Butterbeans & Susie	Brown Skin Gal	Butterbeans & Susie Vol. 1-(1924-25)	1925	1:38:29
14	Cliff Edwards	Paddlin' Madelaine Home	Fascinating Rhythm 1922-1935	1925	1:41:38
15	Ida Cox	Coffin Blues	The Rise & Fall of Paramount Records Volume 1 (1917-1927)	1925	1:49:16
16	Seminole Syncopators	Sailing on Lake Pontchartrain	Dick Spottswood & Tompkins Square Present 1925 Songs	1925	1:52:30
17	Kelly Harrell	The Wreck On The Southern Old 97	Lonesome Whistle	1925	1:55:23

Americana, Country, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Folk and Tradition, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Urban Blues

Let’s Live

July 29, 2026 Dave Leave a comment

This week we celebrate the simple joys that have always bound American music together. Deeper Roots travels back nearly a century—from the roaring jazz of Ethel Waters, Fletcher Henderson, and Coleman Hawkins to the contemporary wit of Kacey Musgraves—finding common threads of laughter, resilience, friendship, and the everyday pleasures that make life worth living. Along the way we’ll make a party heavy stop in New Orleans with Aaron Neville, Fats Domino, James Booker, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, and Art Neville, then head into the hills with bluegrass, country, and Appalachian traditions as the road we ride takes us from Oklahoma to Kentucky. With deep blues, gospel, western swing, big band classics, and timeless folk ballads all sharing the same stage, our show this week revels in music that reminds us there’s always another reason to celebrate the journey.

No.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	Aaron Neville	Let's Live	Treacherous [Disc 1]	1961	00:00
2	James Booker	Medley: Tico Tico / Papa Was A Rascal / So Swell When You're Well	Classified	1982	05:29
3	Dr. John	Traveling Mood	The Ultimate Dr. John	1987	10:18
4	Fats Domino	The Girl I Love [Version 2]	This Is Gold Disc 1	2004	12:56
5	Aaron Neville	My True Story	My True Story	2013	16:24
6	Irma Thomas	While the City Sleeps	Time Is on My Side: The Best of Irma Thomas Vol. 1	1964	19:14
7	Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie	I'm Wild About My Stuff	Flashbacks #1 Drug Songs 1917-1944	0	28:43
8	Blind Boy Fuller	Trucking My Blues Away No. 2 (take 2)	Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order – Volume 2 (29 April to 12 July 1937)	1937	31:39
9	Ollie Shepard	King Of All Evil	Vol. 2-1939-41	1939	34:23
10	Memphis Slim & Willie Dixon	Stewball	Classic African-American Ballads (Smithsonian Folkways)	1959	37:04
11	Angelic Gospel Singers with the Dixie Humming Birds	One Day	When the Moon Goes Down in the Valley of Time: African-American Gospel 1939-51	2013	40:35
12	Rory Block	Lord I Feel Just Like Goin' On	I Belong To The Band: A Tribute To Rev. Gary Davis	2012	42:45
13	Ethel Waters and Her Jazz Band	Ev'rybody Mess Aroun	Tight Women and Loose Bands 1921-1931	1926	52:04
14	Cleo Brown	Boogie Woogie	Picking the Blues – Compiled By John Mayall – Boogie Woogie Pioneers	1935	54:46
15	Benny Carter (With Lionel Hampton Orchestra)	I'm in the Mood for Swing	RCA Victor Jazz-The First Half-Century-The 30's	1938	57:08
16	Coleman Hawkins	Body and Soul	RCA Victor Jazz-The First Half-Century-The 30's	1939	1:00:26
17	Alan Lomax	How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?	Ballad Operas-Martins & The Co	0	1:07:53
18	W. Lee & His Hillbilly Boys	Please Pass The Biscuits Pappy	Western Swing Chronicles Vol. 4 1933-1938	1938	1:08:37
19	Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs	'How Many Biscuits'	1953-X6-XX Grand Old Opry	1953	1:11:11
20	NRBQ	Hot Biscuits and Sweet Marie	Kick Me Hard	1979	1:11:31
21	Kacey Musgraves	Biscuits	Pageant Material	2015	1:13:51
22	Mazzy Star	I'm Gonna Bake My Biscuit	Fade Into You (Single)	1994	1:17:02
23	Joshua Hedley	Fresh Hot Biscuits	All Hat	2025	1:20:33
24	Kenny Baker	Monroe's Hornpipe	Plays Bill Monroe	1977	1:26:09
25	Jack Guthrie	No Need to Knock on My Door	Oklahoma Hills	1946	1:29:13
26	Merle Travis	Missouri	The History Of Country & Western Music – Vol. 11	0	1:31:35
27	Kentuckians	Journey's End	Keep on Going: The Rebel & Melodeon Recordings	2004	1:34:15
28	Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver	Better Times A' Comin'	Mark Twain: Words & Music [Disc 1]	2011	1:37:27
29	Mac Wiseman	It's Mighty Dark To Travel	Grassroots To Bluegrass	1990	1:40:00
30	Johnny Cash	Thanks a Lot	The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983 Disc 1	1958	1:42:36
31	Jimmy Wakely	Moon Over Montana	Vintage Collections	0	1:45:10
32	Leon Redbone	Sweet Lorraine	Any Time	2001	1:48:03
33	Enric Madriguera	B‚same Mucho	The Minute Samba	1944	1:53:51
34	The Dixie Cups	Iko Iko	The Big Easy	1965	1:56:59

Americana, Blues, Country Blues, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Folk and Tradition, Theme Time

Travelin’ Blues 2026

July 11, 2026 Dave Leave a comment

This Friday, Deeper Roots presents an encore broadcast from February 2020, exploring the rich intersection of gospel, blues, and tradition through the theme of the “Travelin’ Blues.” Whether the journey leads down the King’s Highway toward salvation or along a lonely back road toward temptation, we’ll steer clear of the toll roads and follow the winding paths where sacred and secular music have traveled side by side for generations. Along the way you’ll hear performances from Rory Block, Chris Smither, Eric Clapton, Freddie King, The Golden Gate Quartet, and many more. Originally conceived as the first installment in a series of programs about songs of the road, this episode explores highways and journeys through the language of the blues and gospel. Join us for two hours of American roots music where every mile has a story to tell.

No.	Artist	Title	Year	Start At
1	Maria Muldaur	Travelin' Shoes	1974	00:00
2	Blind Sammie (Blind Willie McTell)	Travelin' Blues	1929	05:42
3	Taj Mahal	Farther On Down The Road	2000	08:49
4	Roland Stone	Down The Road	1960	11:56
5	Freddie Slack	Down The Road	2003	14:15
6	Eric Clapton	Further On Down the Road	2013	20:57
7	Chris Smither	Look Down the Road	0	26:32
8	Mattie Delaney	Down The Big Road Blues	1930	29:06
9	Unidentified Quartet	I Look Down The Road And Wonder	2010	36:43
10	The Golden Gate Quartet	I Looked Down The Road And Wondered	1939	39:49
11	Rory Block	If You Haven't Any Hay Get On Down The Road	2014	44:12
12	Paul Butterfield's Better Days	Highway 28	1972	52:29
13	Johnny Guitar Watson	Highway 60	2006	55:28
14	Lowell Fulson	Highway 99	2008	57:47
15	Gatemouth Moore	Highway 61 Blues	2000	1:00:42
16	Honeyboy Edwards	Strollin' Down Highway 61	0	1:03:13
17	Snooks Eaglin	Traveling Mood	1995	1:08:42
18	Doc Pomus	Traveling Dog	1949	1:10:54
19	Ella Johnson & Buddy Johnson	Get On Down The Road	1958	1:13:19
20	Ernie Andrews With Maxwell Davis Orchestra	Travelin' Baby	1951	1:16:17
21	Slim Gaillard & His Boogiereeners	Travelin' Blues	1945	1:18:44
22	T-Bone Walker	Travelin' Blues	1950	1:21:44
23	Smiley Lewis	Lonesome Highway	2010	1:28:47
24	Howling Wolf	Driving This Highway	1952	1:31:00
25	Freddie King	Key To The Highway	1970	1:33:51
26	Freddie King	Living On The Highway	1971	1:37:11
27	Little Walter	Key To The Highway	0	1:41:20
28	Eric Clapton	Traveling Riverside Blues	2004	1:44:04
29	Tommy McLennan	Travelin' Highway Blues	1941	1:50:03
30	Cripple Clarence Lofton	Travelin' Blues	1939	1:52:58
31	Eric Bibb/Rory Block/Maria Muldaur	Travelin' Woman Blues	2004	1:55:03

Americana, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Folk and Tradition, Gospel, Oldies, Soul, Theme Time

Wake Up Everybody

July 3, 2026 Dave Leave a comment

Tomorrow isn’t a guarantee; it’s a promise we keep to one another. In times when the airwaves and headlines feel crowded with division, hatred, and the loud noise of demagoguery, all in reaction to barbarous and vile language from the highest quarters, the antidote has always been found in the music. This week on Deeper Roots, we are celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary by stepping directly into the storm with a playlist designed to uplift, fortify, and remind us of what’s worth fighting for. Count on sounds from Gillian Welch, Willie Nelson, Sam Cooke, Chet Baker and a few dozen more as we dive deep into a century of American music, bringing you powerful songs of the spirit from the gospel canon alongside timeless anthems of resistance that call on us to rise above the attacks on our shared democracy. This isn’t just a look back at history—it’s a toolkit for the present.

No.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	Mahalia Jackson	I Will Move On Up A Little Higher	Folk Blues & Gospel: Will the Circle Be Unbroken	1999	00:00
2	The Edwin Hawkins Singers	I'm Going Through	Oh Happy Day: The Best Of The Edwin Hawkins Singers	1969	08:19
3	The Blind Boys Of Alabama	I Shall Not Be Moved	I'll Find A Way	2013	13:20
4	Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder	I Shall Not Be Moved	Get On Board	2022	15:56
5	Connie Smith	Farther Along	Connie Smith 1965-1966	2011	20:10
6	Sam Cooke And The Soul Stirrers	Farther Along	The Complete Specialty Recordings [Disc 3]	1956	22:59
7	Larry Campbell	Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning	Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams	2015	30:59
8	The Browns	Fair and Tender Ladies	Classics 1963-1964 (Warped 6384)	2010	34:59
9	Willie Nelson	Healing Hands of Time	Wanted! The Outlaws [Bonus Tracks]	1996	37:25
10	Elvis Presley	(There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)	Elvis By The Presleys [Disc 1]	1957	39:39
11	The Impressions	Keep On Pushing	Ultimate Collection: The Impressions	1964	42:58
12	Joe Ely	The Road Goes On Forever	The Best Of Joe Ely 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection	1992	50:29
13	Sara Evans	Born To Fly	Laying Tracks	2003	54:56
14	B.B. King & Dr. John	There Must Be A Better World Somewhere	Deuces Wild	1997	58:46
15	The Bronzemen	Hold On (Keep Yo' Hand On The Plow)	The Bronzemen – Radio Transcriptions (1939)	1939	1:03:24
16	Mahalia Jackson	Keep Your Hand on the Plow	The World's Greatest Gospel Singer	1954	1:10:33
17	Sam Cooke	A Change Is Gonna Come	Hard To Find Jukebox Classics 1960-64: 30 Amazing Stereo Hits	2016	1:12:58
18	Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions	People Get Ready	Akeelah And The Bee (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)	2006	1:15:32
19	Fats Domino	Walking To New Orleans	The Rock 'n' Roll Era: 1960	1960	1:18:08
20	The Four Tops	Reach Out I'll Be There	The Classic Sixties: 1966	1966	1:20:02
21	Ray Charles	I Believe to My Soul	Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection Disc 1	1997	1:22:58
22	Keb' Mo'	Wake Up Everybody	Peace…Back By Popular Demand	2004	1:30:06
23	The Staple Singers	I'll Take You There	I'll Take You There	1972	1:34:07
24	Jo Stafford	On The Sunny Side of the Street	Candy	1944	1:37:14
25	Chet Baker	Look for the Silver Lining	Chet Baker Sings	1956	1:40:07
26	Louis Armstrong	What A Wonderful World	Lifetime Of Romance: Falling In Love [Disc 2]	1967	1:42:44
27	The Band	The Weight	Northern Songs – Canada's Best And Brightest	1968	1:44:59
28	Sly & the Family Stone	Everyday People	Anthology	1981	1:52:11
29	Bruce Springsteen	Streets of Minneapolis	Streets of Minneapolis – Single	2026	1:54:30

Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Jazz, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Urban Blues

Heartland R&B

June 28, 2026 Dave Leave a comment

We revisit a show from ten years back that focused on R&B, sax, and a time before rock ‘n’ roll shook the world. A time of honkers and shouters. This week on Deeper Roots, we dig into the wild, joyful, and groundbreaking world of mid-century rhythm and blues through the lens of Arnold Shaw’s classic book Honkers and Shouters: The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues. From the jump bands and saxophone blowouts to the gospel-fueled vocalists and hard-driving dance records that packed juke joints and ballrooms, we’ll explore the artists, producers, and cultural forces that gave birth to modern popular music. Join us for two hours of the sounds and stories that laid the foundation for rock ‘n’ roll and changed American music forever. We’ve got a wild one in store for you, one that we first tackled a decade ago here on Deeper Roots.

No.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	Ivory Joe Hunter	I Got Your Water On	The Chronological Ivory Joe Hunter : 1947 – 1950	1949	00:00
2	Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra	Harlem Shout	Swingsation: Jimmie Lunceford	1998	05:56
3	Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra	Intro 1	Big Band Jazz Jubilee Sessions [Disc 3]	1945	08:47
4	Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra	Three Bones	Big Band Jazz Jubilee Sessions [Disc 3]	1945	10:01
5	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	Shout Sister Shout	Shout Sister Shout [[Disc 1]] The Original Soul Sister	1941	19:00
6	Lucky Millinder; Sister Rosetta Tharpe	Trouble in Mind	The Gospel of Blues	2003	21:40
7	Lucky Millinder; Sister Rosetta Tharpe	I Want a Tall Skinny Papa	The Gospel of Blues	2003	24:05
8	Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra w/Myra Johnson	Silent George	Risque Rhythm: Nasty 50s R&B	1950	26:54
9	Wynonie Harris; Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra	Teardrops From My Eyes	All She Wants To Do Is Rock	1950	29:29
10	Wynonie Harris	Hard Ridin? Mama	Playful Baby	1947	37:12
11	Wynonie Harris	I Don't Know Where to Go	Women Whiskey & Fish Tails	0	39:42
12	Eddie Durham	Swingin' the Blues	King Cole Trio: Legendary 1941-44 Broadcast Transcriptions (The)	2011	41:57
13	Count Basie	Topsy	Ken Burns Jazz: Count Basie	1937	43:57
14	Count Basie	Swingin' The Blues	Ken Burns Jazz: Count Basie	1938	47:07
15	Joe Liggins	Daddy on My Mind	Joe Liggins 1948-1950	1950	53:54
16	Joe Liggins	Rag Mop	The Chronological Joe Liggins 1948 – 1950	1950	56:35
17	Bull Moose Jackson	Shorty's Got To Go	Bad Man Jackson	1946	59:56
18	Bull Moose Jackson	If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')	Badman Jackson Thats Me	1955	1:02:35
19	Bull Moose Jackson	Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me	Badman Jackson Thats Me	1949	1:04:57
20	Big Jay McNeely & His Blue Jays	Deacon's Hop	Jump Jive & Swing	1948	1:13:30
21	Big Jay McNeely	All That Wine Is Gone	Jumpin' Like Mad: Cool Cats & Hip Chicks Non-Stop Dancin' [Disc 1]	1951	1:16:16
22	Big Mcneely Jay	Willie And The Cool Cat	Swing-O-Rama : Beautiful Babies	1949	1:19:08
23	The Swallows	It Ain't the Meat	Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55 vol. 2	2005	1:21:50
24	Tiny Bradshaw	The Train Kept A-Rollin'	Sentimental Journey	1951	1:26:26
25	Tiny Bradshaw	Intro 2	Big Band Jazz: The Jubilee Sessions	1944	1:29:08
26	Tiny Bradshaw	It's Sand Man	Big Band Jazz: The Jubilee Sessions	1944	1:29:26
27	Freddie Slack & His Orchestra w; T-Bone Walker	Rifette	R&B Jukebox Hits 1943	1943	1:32:05
28	Freddie Slack With The Will Bradley Trio	Down The Road A Piece	Juke Joint Jump: A Boogie Woogie Celebration	1940	1:35:05
29	Ivory Joe Hunter	Stop Rockin' That Train	The Chronological Ivory Joe Hunter : 1947 – 1950	1947	1:38:09
30	Earl Bostic	Flamingo	Artist's Choice: Rolling Stones	1946	1:40:52
31	Earl Bostic	Always	The E.P. Collection	1999	1:43:31
32	Big Joe Turner	Sun Risin' Blues	Big Bad & Blue: Anthology [Disc 1]	1940	1:46:26
33	The Cab Calloway Orchestra	Cab Calloway Introducing Illinois Jacquet	Carnegie Hall 7/6/1973	1973	1:54:40
34	The Cab Calloway Orchestra w; Illinois Jacqauet	Jumpin' Jacquet	Carnegie Hall 7/6/1973	1973	1:54:58

Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Rock, Soul

Let’s Do It!

June 13, 2026 Dave

This week on Deeper Roots, the records come with instructions. From dance crazes and rhythm commands to songs about not knowing what comes next, we’re asking — and answering — ‘Let’s Do It!.’ Two hours of blues, rock ’n’ roll, soul, and jukebox rhythm from the past century, all with a demand that we get our booties moving or our bodies boogie’n. From Howlin’ Wolf and B.B. King to The Dovells, Chubby Checker and Rosco Gordon, we’re digging deep with some classic blues and rare soul. But we’ve also got some rockin’, stompin’, rompin’, swingin’ to do with dances like the swim, the twist, the slop, and the boomerang…and we’ve even got Bobby Dunn pleading that we “Do The Bobby Dunn”. Nothing’s off limits and it’s nothing but fun on this week’s show as we explore something thematic that we’re excited to share with you. Whether it’s a party you’re hosting or you’re just out there in the yard prepping for the coming summer, turn it up. That’s right…do it!

No.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	The Four Blazes	Do The Do	Mary Jo	1954	00:00
2	Howlin' Wolf	Do The Do	Muddy & The Wolf	1969	05:13
3	Mabel Franklin	Let's Do The Wiggle	Stompin' 2	1965	07:22
4	Lightnin' Hopkins	Do The Boogie	Lightnin' Sam Hopkins	1962	09:37
5	B.B. King	Let's Do the Boogie	Do the Boogie! B.B. King's Early '50s Classics	1994	14:00
6	Rufus Thomas	Can Your Monkey Do the Dog	The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968 (3 of 9)	1964	16:23
7	Rufus Thomas	(Do the) Push and Pull (Part 1)	Stax Number Ones	2010	18:44
8	Junior Walker & The All Stars	Do The Boomerang	The Ultimate Collection	1965	27:55
9	Sugar Pie DeSanto	Do The Whoopie	Brunswick Lost Soul – Volume 1	1967	30:13
10	Sugar Sweet	Do the Dive	Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll Vol 2 [Disc 12]	1963	32:36
11	Dee Dee Sharp	Do The Bird	Girls Of Rock & Roll	0	34:56
12	Bobby Dunn	Do The Bobby Dunn	Rare Soul: Groove & Grind 1963-1973 [Disc 4]	2015	37:08
13	The Olympics	Baby Do The Philly Dog	Northern Soul Originals	1999	40:15
14	Jackie Lee	Do The Temptation Walk	All Nighter Hits	0	47:19
15	Dave Baby Cortez	Do the Slop	Happy Organs Wild Guitars	1994	49:46
16	Little Joe Cook	Let's Do the Slop	Peanuts and Other Delicacies: The Little Joe Cook Story (1951-1962)	1956	52:58
17	March Wind	Do The Sweetback	Stax 50th Anniversary Collection [Disc 3]	1994	55:21
18	The Matta Baby	Do the Pearl Girl (Part 2)	All Night Long: Northern Soul Floor Fillers	2016	58:34
19	The 5 Royales	Do the Cha Cha Cherry	The Complete Singles 1952-1962	1958	1:05:58
20	The Hilltoppers	Do The Bop	Chills & Fever: The Dot Records Story 1955-1962	1955	1:08:10
21	Isaac Clark	Do The Dog Funk	Rare Soul: Groove & Grind 1963-1973 [Disc 4]	2015	1:10:16
22	Rosco Gordon	Do The Chicken (Dance With You)	Rockin' Memphis [Disc 1]	1956	1:13:14
23	The Isley Brothers	Do The Twist [Remastered 1991]	Complete United Artists Sessions	1963	1:15:45
24	The Staple Singers	Do The Cissy [Stingers]	The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles Vol. 2: 1968-1971 [Disc 2]	1969	1:18:27
25	The Meters	Do The Dirt	Cabbage Alley	1972	1:21:12
26	Bill Doggett	Lets Do The Continetal	New Discgems From Warner Brothers	1961	1:27:21
27	The Dovells	Do the New Continental	Cameo Parkway 1957-1967 Disc 2	2005	1:30:00
28	Fox Hall	Do The Rock And Roll	Sugar Jump	2019	1:32:36
29	Johnny Thunder	Everybody Do The Sloopy	The Very Best Of Johnny Thunder	1965	1:35:11
30	Bobby Freeman	(I Do The) Shimmy Shimmy	American Music Library: The Hits Of 1960	1960	1:37:49
31	Gary U.S. Bonds	Do The Bumpsie	Gary U.S Bonds – 30 Original Greatest Hits	1965	1:40:19
32	Chubby Checker	Do The Freddy	Classic Rock 1965	1965	1:42:43
33	Little Bobby Moore	Do The Ginger Snap	The King Records Story Part2	1962	1:44:56
34	Randy & the Rockets	Lets Do the Cajun Twist	Swamp Gold Volume 1	1991	1:47:33
35	Dee Dee Sharp	Mashed Potato Time	Rare Soul: Groove & Grind 1963-1973 [Disc 4]	1967	1:54:15
36	Chubby Checker	Let's Twist Again	Oldies But Goodies	2022	1:56:44

Americana, Blues, Country, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Free Form, Oldies, Soul

Nine Pound Hammer

May 30, 2026 Dave

We’ve got ourselves a musical breadcrumb trail show featuring songs connected by titles, themes, characters, occupations, relationships, Cajun culture, tattoos, grace, summer romance, and a healthy dose of American eccentricity. We’ll be taking our journey from country to rockabilly, some Howlin’ Wolf, classic doo-wop, folk, gospel, swamp pop, and everything in between. It’s a scenic route through a century of American music. Starting with John Prine’s “Nine Pound Hammer,” we’ll follow a trail that winds through the Louvin Brothers, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, The Band, Johnny Cash, John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke, and many others. Join us for another Friday morning two hours winding through the back roads. Because that’s where the roots run deepest.

No.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	John Prine	Nine Pound Hammer	Sweet Revenge	1973	00:00
2	The Louvin Brothers	Are You Teasing Me	Capitol Country Music Classics	0	05:15
3	Willie Nelson	House Of Gold	Country Music	2010	08:05
4	The Grateful Dead	Operator	American Beauty	1970	12:37
5	Elvis Presley	The Girl of My Best Friend	Artist of the Century Disc 2	1999	14:57
6	Ral Donner	Girl Of My Best Friend	American Music Library: The Hits Of 1961	1961	17:13
7	The Band	Jemima Surrender	The Band	1969	19:21
8	Johnny Cash	I Will Rock And Roll With You	The Legend: Old Favorites And New [Disc 2]	1978	28:06
9	Ivory Joe Hunter	You Can't Stop This Rocking and Rolling	Ivory Joe Hunter	2005	30:49
10	Chuck Willis	Caldonia	Roots of Rock 'n' Roll:Rough and Rowdy Vol. 3	1952	33:03
11	The Debs	Whaddaya Want	Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55 vol. 2	2005	35:22
12	Videos	Trickle Trickle	Doo Wop Box Disc 3	1994	37:52
13	Jackie Wilson	That's Why (I Love You So)	7 Classic Albums	1959	45:55
14	The Sheppards	Elevator Operator	Golden Classics	1989	47:54
15	Howlin' Wolf	My Life	Smokestack Lightning /The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960	1956	49:26
16	John Lee Hooker	One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer	The Definitive Collection	1966	52:23
17	Dusty Owens	Hello Operator	Talking on the Telephone Vol. 2	1953	55:16
18	Freddy Cannon	Buzz Buzz-A-Diddle It	Talking on the Telephone Vol. 3	1961	57:33
19	Steve Forbert	Complications	Jackrabbit Slim	1979	1:05:20
20	Steve Goodman	Somebody Else's Troubles	Somebody Else's Troubles	1999	1:08:59
21	Jo-el Sonnier	Cajun Woman	The Complete Mercury Sessions	1992	1:12:40
22	Lil' Band Of Gold	Cajun Twist	Americana Roots Songbook: Louisiana	2002	1:15:12
23	Skeets McDonald	The Tattooed Lady	Dirty Boogie: The Fortune Records Story	1950	1:19:20
24	Sam Cooke	Out In The Cold Again	The Rhythm And The Blues	1961	1:25:03
25	The Amazing Rhythm Aces	Amazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song)	Stacked Deck	1975	1:27:26
26	The Blind Boys of Alabama	Amazing Grace	Hear Music volume 6	0	1:30:41
27	Edd Presnell	Amazing Grace	Bluegrass Roots	2003	1:34:59
28	The Valiants and Sandy Vale	Suntan Tattoo	Banana Split for My Baby	1959	1:36:39
29	Eddie Cochran	Hallelujah I Love Her So	The London American Story – 1960	1959	1:38:41
30	David Bromberg; Dr. John	Such a Night	The Last Waltz [Rhino Box Set] Disc 1	2002	1:40:58
31	The Band	(I Don't Want To Hang Up My) Rock 'N' Roll Shoes	A Musical History [Disc 4]	1971	1:45:37
32	Randy Newman	I'm Different	Trouble in Paradise	1983	1:55:13
33	Randy Newman	Maybe I'm Doin' It Wrong	Sail Away	1970	1:57:43

Americana, Country, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Gospel, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Theme Time

Tears On The Vinyl

May 9, 2026 Dave

They say that tears are the safety valve of the heart when too much pressure is laid on it. Whether they are shed in the dark of a midnight heartbreak, the overwhelming light of a spiritual awakening, or the quiet ache of a memory that just won’t fade, these tiny drops of salt water carry the weight of our history. Today, we’re tracing those trails down the cheeks of American music. with a show whose theme is ‘tears’. We’ve got two hours of the lonesome, the joyful, and the broken-hearted. Featured artists include Etta James, Mac Wiseman, Big Maybelle, Faron Young and The Pilgrim Travelers, spanning the past century of America’s music from the mid-1930s to a cover of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s Ocean of Tears from 2019. We’ll experience tears that take us from remorse to pure joy and pleasant surprise full circle to tears brought on by physical pain. So pull up a chair, settle in, and let’s let the music do the weeping for us.

No.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	Little Anthony & The Imperials	Tears on My Pillow	The Best of Little Anthony & The Imperials	1958	00:00
2	Chuck Jackson	Tears Of Joy	The Very Best Of Chuck Jackson 1961-1967	1963	05:35
3	Gladys Knight & The Pips	Letter Full Of Tears	Soul Grooves	2002	08:13
4	Tammi Terrell	Tears At The End Of A Love Affair	Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection	1969	10:52
5	Smokey Robinson & the Miracles	Tears of a Clown	Motown: The Classic Years Disc 2	1970	13:48
6	Johnny Rivers	The Tracks of My Tears	Greatest Hits [Capitol]	1967	16:45
7	Etta James	Tears Of Joy	The Complete Modern & Kent Recordings 1	1956	24:59
8	Bonnie Raitt	River Of Tears	Green Light	1982	27:25
9	Big Maybelle	Ocean Of Tears	The Complete OKeh Sessions 1952-'55	1955	32:10
10	Pee Wee Crayton	Eyes Full Of Tears	Pee Wee's Blues – The Complete Aladdin And Imperial Recordings	1954	34:37
11	Ray Charles	Drown in My Own Tears	Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) (1 of 8)	1959	36:42
12	The Jackson Southernaires	No Tears in Heaven	Great Gospel – No Tears in Heaven	2004	44:04
13	The Pilgrim Travelers	God Shall Wipe All Tears Away	Good News Vol. 4: Glory Glory Hallelujah	1949	49:10
14	The Staple Singers	I Can't Help From Cryin' Sometime	Great Day	1962	51:27
15	Robert Plant and The Soweto Gospel Choir	Valley Of Tears	Goin' Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino [Disc 2]	2007	53:43
16	Jean Shepard	Crying Holy	24 Greatest Gospel Hits	2009	55:51
17	Bad Livers	Crying Holy Unto The Lord	Dust On The Bible	1998	57:52
18	Mac Wiseman	Crying Heart Blues	Grassroots To Bluegrass	1990	1:07:57
19	Country Gentlemen	Silence or Tears	Warped 6119 – Country Gentlemen – 1961	1961	1:10:20
20	David Grisman; Emory Gordy; Herb Pedersen; Jim Buchanan; Vince Gill	The Children Are Crying	Here Today	1982	1:12:56
21	Dolly Parton	Endless Stream of Tears	The Grass Is Blue	1999	1:15:28
22	Faron Young	Trail Of Tears	Hello Walls / The Young Approach	1961	1:18:01
23	Dick Curless	Tears Instead of Cheers	A Tombstone Every Mile (7CD Set) CD6 (1950-1969)	1996	1:20:10
24	Tennessee Ernie Ford	Ocean Of Tears	The History Of Country & Western Music (Disc 20)	0	1:24:50
25	JP Harris	Ocean of Tears (feat. Miss Tess)	Why Don't We Duet in the Road (Again) – EP	2019	1:27:23
26	Skeets McDonald	Curtain Of Tears	Skeets McDonald – One Classic Album & Singles Collection	1952	1:29:57
27	Ray Campi	Curtain Of Tears	Country Boy's Dream	1988	1:32:17
28	Ella Fitzgerald	Crying My Heart Out For You	Cryin' Mood	1939	1:36:02
29	Anita O'Day	And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine	Sentimental Journey: Great Ladies of Song	1944	1:39:08
30	Dinah Washington	You're Crying (from The Swingin' Miss D)	Dinah Washington: Eight Classic Albums	1956	1:42:12
31	Chris Connor	Time Out For Tears	Warm Cool: The Atlantic Years [Disc 1]	1999	1:45:39
32	Dinah Shore	Laughing On The Outside (Crying On The Inside)	Your Hit Parade: 1946	1946	1:48:18
33	Lula Reed	I'll Drown In My Own Tears	Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio	1951	1:53:57
34	Johnny Ray	Cry	Columbia Records 125th Anniversary	1951	1:56:47

A Century of America's Music